Binder and ring usable therein



March 1945- 'Ji J. SEELMAN BINDER AND RING USABLE THEIR E13;

Original Filed June 8, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR JOHN -J. EEAM6W BY M, MYM' ATTORNEY- March 13, 1945. J. -J. SEELMAN BINDER AND RING USABLE THEREIN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed June -8, 1942 INVENTQR dag/v J. 655ml @M,AMYM I ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 13, 1945 BINDER RING USABLE THEREIN John J. Seelman. Milwaukee, Wis... assignor, 1?) direct and .mesne assignments, to Geo. jSeelman & Sons C0,, Wisconsin Substituted for abandoned application Serial-No.

44411163, June .8, 19.42. This .applicationFebru- .ary 8, 1943, Serial .No. 475.093?

(clams-1) 14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in binders and ringsusa-ble therein, the application for which is a substitute for application Serial No. 446,163 filedJu-ne 8, 1942.

It is the primaryobiectof the invention to provide a neat, simple, durable, and inexpensive binder and binder ring with provision for rigidly mounting the improved binder ring in the cover and for accommodating different thicknesses and conformations of cover. I

More specifically stated, it .is one of t he primaryobjects of the invention to provide a plastic binder ring of .a ty having oblique slots for the manipulation of the loose, leaf-sheets to andfrom the respective rings, and having constructional features inherentlyprotecting the split ,ends of the ring against breakageand against cold flow under weight. The protection of the ring against breakage and deformation is partially attributable .to the formation of the binder ring itself and partiall attributable to .the relation of the binder ring to the binder back .and covers. Extending completely across the backbone of the vbinder-in the interior thereof between the covers, is the relatively heavy base of the .binderring, amply able to withstand all pressure transmitted from one cover toward the other. vFrom this base crescentshaped arms extend upwardly .and preferably are .curvedacross the base in substantially the arc of .a circle, gradually diminishing in cross section, Where they join the base the inner surfaces v"of such arms .are preferably curved inwardly, while the .outer surface of ,such arms are preferably approximately normal ,to the top edge 'of theba'se. It willlbelseen that .the whole constitutesa modified crescent, the modification consisting of a. flattening of .the crescent base. This not only provides strengthbut also enables thetop edgetof the base .to limit thedownward movement of the paper sheets :upon the arms, vthereby preventing bin e nsa h rasev ber the sheets from weighing. or tearing .as would 00- I Various other .objects of the invention will be apparent to those .skilledin the art upon the .fol-

,lowing disclosure thereof. mln the drawings: I

, This. .-1 .is' a view .in perspective, fragmentarjilyiilllfig. 52s it appears when assembled;

invention, ,the .back of a binder being ustra ne ab de bac e ip ed with rin s i accordance with thisinvention.

Rig. la is a .detail'view in .cross section through a binder with .a ourvedbackbone illustrating in side elevation one .or my improved binder. rings in its ,properassociation with th binder.

Fig. 2 is a viewfin perspective of the exterior of the back showing the closed portions of the Fig. Bisla fragmentary detail view in cross sectionTthroli h the back and,o ne .of'the rings.

Fig...4 is fadetail view inperspective showing the separated rin andanchor-agemember. f

Rig. .5 .is a view in perspective showing th co nponentparjtsof a modified ring and anchorage member assembly. I

Fig. 6 isra fragmentary view in cross section through .a binder back illustrating fthe device of 7 is a view similar to 5 showing'aiur ther nodifiedembodiment of the invention.

Fig 7a isade'tail view in plan of the retainer shown in Ei sf'i and8.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the device offl fig. ,7 as it appears when assembled.

F g. '9 is a ,viewsiinilar .to Fig. 5 "showing a further ,rnodifiedembod-iment of the invention;

Fig. 10 is a ,view similar to Fig. 6 showing the dev'iceof Fig.9 as it appears when assembled.

Fig. 11 is a view similar 'tolFig. flOshowing in assembly .a further modified embodiment of the f a mentarily illustrated.

Fig. .12 is .adeta'il viewin plan showing 'howthe tips of the plastic. arms ofany one of the binder rings herein. disclosed may be deflected into interck ngensaeem 'Like parts are, identified by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

Ihe .bindersfhownjin Fig; ,1 "is of generally con- ,ventional form,, apartirom the rings-and the 'mannerin .whichthey are moun'ted therein. There is the usual "backbone"1i5to which a pair of covers "L6 and I1 arefhingedly connected. Inpractice the backbone .l :5 may show considerable :variation in thickness in different binders, and accordingly it .is desirable that my improved binder ring "andits anchorage idevice s'hould accommodate-backbones which vary materially. 'l habackbone may be either hat in *crosssection (Fig: -1) or curved (Fi 1a) The binder -ringiin "its preferred form is of a modified crescent fform as-c'lea-rly shown in'Figs.

'1 and s. It comprisesarelati-vely heavy base fpQrfiDIi re-having a; lower margin l9 preferably rectilinear at least in its central extent for engagement with fiat backbones 15. The base is preferably beveled at M, however, to adapt it for use in concave backbones such as that shown at 150 in Fig. la. Such backbones are very common. The upper margin 20 of the base may be rectilinear, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 4, or it may arch convexly upwardly, as shown in Fig. 5 at 200.

Formed integrally with the base [8 are the arms 21 and 22 which constitute the binder ring. Externally the surfaces of arms 2| are either parallel with each other and substantially normal to the base, or may be slightly convergent upwardly away from the base.

Their inner surfaces, however, preferably diverge from each other upwardy of the base as clearly appears in Figs. 1 and 1a. The resulting crescent-shape of the respective arms gives them great strength, particularly adjacent the base, where bending moments are greatest. It might appear that due to' the fact that the cross section of the arms increases toward the base, sheets of paper engaged thereon might become wedged on the arms or tend to tear when pulled upwardly.

sheet, respecting the cross section of the arm, is

such that no wedge can occur. Moreover, when the sheet is lifted toward the point of discharge from the ring, it is immediately moved toward a portion of the arm which has a small cross section, thereby freeing it at once from any possible tendency to wedge.

Particularly where a curved backbone I50 is employed (Fig. la) the hinged joint between the backbone and the cover is brought up closer to the level of the top margin 26 of the base of the binder ring, so that the lowest sheet, such as that shown at l2, will lie almost flat against the cover, close to the ring. This result is achieved despite the fact that the base portion of the ring is preferably located within the backbone and between the covers to take up pressure and to relieve the arms of the ring therefrom. Fig. 1c. shows how the cover H, in its closed position, extends upwardly in substantial contact with the arm 22 of the ring.

The extremities of the arms are finished in approximate parallelism in spaced oblique planes to provide an intervening oblique slot 23 through which the loose leaf sheets of the binder may be manipulated in a well known manner.

It is characteristic of all of the split ring devices herein disclosed that in each instance the relatively heavy base 18 represents the greatest width of the split ring and the arms 21 and 22, or their equivalent, progressively approach each other either crack off such arms (if they are made of plastic or the like), or will permanently deform them owing to the fact that the resilience of a plastic and even of a metal,'may be overcome heavy base l8 which represents the maximum dimension of the device.

Moreover, it will'be noted that I locate this heavy base between the covers where it is in a r position to take the load, and I make its length approximately equal to the transverse dimension of the backbone so that the hinges between the covers and the backbone are located approximately at-the corners of the base of'each ring.

The anchorage member 25 and the ring member above described, are preferably in adjustable connection to allow for varying thicknesses of the cover backbone element I5. I have found it convenient to provide for adjustable connection of the parts by telescopically relating them as best shown in Fig. 3. This may conveniently be done by forming a non-circular block 26 integral with the base member 18 of the ring element and providing the anchorage member 25 with a socket at 21 into which the block 26 is receivable with a sliding fit. The socket 21 is extended in part into the solid material of the anchorage member 25 and it is formed in part by a pair of mutually spaced C-shaped outstanding flanges 28 and 29 constituting an outward extension of the socket 21. When the block 26 is received between the flanges 28 and 29 and into the socket 21, the base l8 may enter between the flanges 28 and 29, as clearly appears from Fig. 4.

Externally the anchorage members may be faceted for ornamentation as shown in Fig. 2.

Each of the anchorage members comprises a plate-like flange at 30 which abuts the cover backbone externally. It will be noted that preferably the greatest dimension of this plate-like flange is vertical with respect to the cover.

The inner surface of a flat backbone is abutted by the edge 19 of the base member E8 of the ring element. The surface l9 extends transversely of the backbone and hence substantially at right angles to the direction of extent of the flange 36. The engagement of the backbone by these two surfaces at right angles to each other provides great stability, and the fact that the block 26 is non-circular (in practice preferably rectangular) in cross section assures against any rotative displacement of the ring element with respect to the cover when the device is in use. It is desirable to preclude any possibility of rotative displacement because the facility with which the sheet may be manipulated through the oblique slot of the ring element may depend upon the stability of the ring element.

It will be apparent that the telescopic connection of the anchorage element and the ring element permits these parts to be secured to each other to be eiIective in quite a substantial range of relative adjustments. Preferably, some one of the numerous plastic adhesives or solvents is used, the exact choice of solvent or adhesive depending, in many instances, upon the particular material of which these elements are composed. An adhesive, however, will permit of the permanent connection of the telescopically related parts without requiring the use of any metal. The close the base .180 of thisiring element iszpressed against the. backbone 11:5 ..of :a known adimension -for which it :has' been designed, the .several holes r3i| 3.2 and 33 will she-brought :into alignment :to :receive .arpini'i which may depend :upon .frictionfor its retention-or may be adh'esinely .secured in place. The broadiflat .face300. of theianchorage member 1250 engages the outside .of the iCOYfiPWhil'B :the or edge !.9. of the baseportion l:&0.:of :the ringceiement-iengagesathe innerztaceofrthe cover :to. secure thezring rigidly: imposition. 'I'heopeningimade .in the backbone will beirectangular to conform to the cross sectional outline which isthe combined result .of the ears 128.0 and iflllascshown in Fig. 6.,th11s securing the aringagainst torsional -.displacement. p v

In the constructionshown'in Fig. .7 the :base portion I81 .ofthe split ring .elementhasa tab :at

36 projecting from its-margin l9l ,.leaving.shoul ders :at .3'l to engagethe inner face tofc-thebackbone .of thebinder. The tabhas :anopening .at 38 which may be trapezoidal in form, to receive retainer 40 which may be tapered at-bothends to .facilita-teits introduction and .provided at :41 with two slight elevations spacedto-receive the tab between them. The cross piece of .tab 36 beyond theopen-ing 38 has sufficient resilience so thatit will-yield slightly at .its center to permit one of the projections -'4l to beforce'd beneath --it. Thereupon it will spring back into position between the projections-M, which are so .spaced ;as to receive it substantially exactly, therebyanchoring the retainer 40 in position to secure the ring in the binder.

in the construction shown .in Figs. 9 and 10 the arrangement is quite similar to that shown ,in Figs. .3 and 4. The anchor member .252 has a plateelike flange 302 and a socket 212 surrounded by. a box-like flange :282 in which the block portion 2-62 of the split ring element is received. At the level of themargin I92 of the base portion 18.2 of the split .ring element, the. block portion 262 ,is surrounded by a flange which, in the assembly, covers the opening in thebackbone member i 5,.as clearly shown in Fig. .10; as Well asincreasing the seat provided between the backboneand the ring element.

In the construction shown in Fig. 11 three additional features are illustrated which are each individually adapted for use with each other or interchangeably, with the other constructions shown. One of these features comprises the use of an anchorage strip 253 which extends continuously along the backbone to serve all of the ring elements mounted thereon instead of requiring separate anchorage bases for each ring element. As a second feature it is preferably, though not necessarily, on the inside, cemented to the backbone and thus avoiding any exterior projection. Another feature consists in the provision of two separate studs at 43 which are socketed in the widened base I83 with which the ring element is provided. As in the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4, 9 and 10, the anchorage device and the ring used independently .to'f the sother. :features .or in conjunction with any of ziheco ther constructions when 'desired.

:In all embodiments the joase :prefierably ."is

as :wide ':as any'pontion .of :the ring elementisan'd iisiocated within. the backandbetween the. covers, with crescent-shaped armsxspringing afrom to comprisezthe split :ring as above described... The .cnescent'shape cf thesarms .is .a .very important feature of the invention in actual :Practice. 115

Sincemthe .plasticror metal employed will gpreferably :have considerable .cresilience which pro gressively increases toward-the tips of the arms, it"isxpossibletoxintenlock the tips rot arms 2.! and -22..hy:manipulating them :past each otherfrom :the "positionshown in .Fig. :1 to that shown :in a.Fig. :12, whereupon their tips-will engageto prevent v.a return to: the: original positions *until they .are.:so -:manipulated that they are moved verti- -.cally as well :as laterally. I In this -.interlocked position :of the arm tips it will be found that the sheets will slide freely fromone arm totthezother but cannot escapefrom theJring-untilthe arms are .released :by. manipulation back 1130 "the Fig. 1 positions thereof.

It "is noteworthy that unlike some previous This gives the device of my have increased width. When .the covers are f.o'lded'as shown in Fig.1:2 they will'substantially contact the sides of the base portions :IB of the :respective ring e'lementsbbut, in so doing, substantially-all strains will be transmitted =-direct l;y :torthe basegportions of the ring elements and. the

arms'comprising the split ring will, in cachinxstance,-be sufficiently relieved-.otstrain by. their icurvilinearform so that :despite the useof plastic intheir construction, they will neither crack nor be deformed under load.

claim: :1. In a loose leaf book back. havinga backbone .and :covers, the-combination with. an anchorage v member applied externally to thebackboneqand asplitvring elementapplied internally to the backbone, of ..means connecting said member and ring element applied internally to the backbone,

and means connecting said'member and element with each other through said backbone, said connecting means comprising parts respectively connected with the member and element and in telescopic engagement with each other, said parts being adhesively joined.

3. A split ring for use in a loose'leaf binder,

comprising a base and a pair of crescent shaped arms thereon, each of said arms progressively decreasing in cross section upwardly away from said base and said base comprising means limiting the movement of apertured paper sheets downwardly upon the respective arms, the outside surfaces of the arms being substantially parallel adjacent the base and the inside surfaces of said arms being outwardly divergent in projecting from said base.

4. A split ring for use in a loose leaf binder comprising a base and a pair of arms mounted on the base and extending curvilinearly toward each other at a point remote from the base, said arms being oppositely beveled adjacent their respective tips and the tips normally lapped in spaced relation, at least one of. the arms being sulficiently resiliently flexible to permit of the manipulation of its tip to the opposite side of the tip of the other arm, whereby such tips are interlocked to provide a closed' ring from one arm of which to the other paper sheets are readily slidable across the interlocked tips.

5. A split ring device for use in ring type binders, said device comprising a ring'element having a base portion engageable with the inner face 1 of a backbone, an anchorage element engageable with the outer face of a backbone, and telescopically related male and female parts carriedlby the respective elements and projecting from the respective elements for engagement with each other within a backbone.

6. A split ring device for use in ringtype binders, said device comprising a ring element having a base portion engageable with the inner face of a backbone, an anchorage element engageable with the-outer face of a backbone, and telescopically related male and female parts carried by the respective elements, the female part being carried by the anchorage element and being transversely slotted to receive the male part of the ring element.

'7. A split ring device for use in ring type binders, said device comprising a ring element having a base portion engageable with the inner face of a backbone, an anchorage element engageable with the outer faceof a backbone, and telescopically related male and female parts-carried by the respective elements, the female part comprising a cavity in one of said elements, said element having a plate surface within which such cavity is extended.

8. A split ring device for use in ring type binders, said device comprising a ring element having a base portion engageable with the inner face of abackbcne, an anchorage element engageable with the outer face of a backbone and telescopically related male and female parts carried by the respective elements, the said female part comprising a cavity within one of said elements, said last mentioned element having a back engaging surface into which said cavity extends and being provided with a flange extending said cavity beyond said surface.

9. The device of claim 5 in which said parts are formed for non-rotatable slidable adjustment relative to each other and are in adhesive con- .nection.

10. The combination with a ring element having binder engageable portions and an apertured tab adapted to be received through a binder so engaged, of a wedge member in the aperture of .withan anchorage element, one of said elements being provided with at least one stud and the other element being provided with at least one socket in which said stud is slidably adjustable, said elements having means interlockingly engaged to preclude rotation of the stud in the socket, together with means for maintaining the stud and socket in a predetermined position of sliding adjustment to lit a particular binder.

13. A binder ring for use with binders having fiat backbones and with-binders having concave backbones, said ring comprising a base having its lower surface flat at the mid portion of said base and thence beveled upwardly at each side, and a pair of curvilinear arms connected to said base adjacent its respective sides and having free tip portions in immediate proximity to each other above the center of the base, anchorage means applicable externally to a binder backbone, and

means connected in part to said base at its mid portion and in part to said anchorage means for connecting-said base to said anchorage means through a backbone, irrespective of the fiat or concave form of the backbone.

14. A split ring for use in a looseleaf binder having a backbone, said ring comprising a base,

a pair of crescent-shaped arms thereon, each of said arms progressively decreasing in cross section upwardly away from said base, and said base comprising means limiting the movement of apertured paper sheets downwardly upon the respective arms, and anchorage means applicable externally'to a binder backbone, said base having centrally of its bottom surface a connecting element and said anchorage means having a cooperative connecting element, the respective elements being formed for slidable telescopic engagement, and said base-having a lower surface at either side of its connecting element which is substantially flat and thence is obliquely beveled to the sides of the base.

,JOHN J. SEELMAN. 

